Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

That was one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen - watching hundreds of people crawl, fight and try to run through thick mud isn’t something you see every day.

But thousands turned up in Maldon to watch and cheer on the mud racers as they slogged through the 440m (1,443ft) stretch of the River Chelmer at low tide.

Everyone was having a great time, and there was a real sense of community.

I feel so inspired, I might even try the race myself next year.

Now I’ve said it, I’ll have to hold myself to it.

It was a bizarre experience – but a truly enjoyable one.

Thanks for following our live coverage of the Maldon Mud Race – we hope you have a newfound appreciation for solid, clean and dry land.

Image source, Chris Radburn

Jenna Moon
Live reporter

Hundreds of participants have descended on Maldon in Essex to take on the mud - and while my preference for battling the Sunday scaries isn't to get coated head-to-toe in muck, I have to hand it to those who did today.

I've been warm and thankfully mud-free here in London, but have been eagerly watching events unfold.

Here is the best of what we saw today:

• Vicki Riley has claimed the title of fastest woman to complete the course this year

• First-timer Joe is the first man over the finish line. His verdict? "It's surprising how hard it is"

• BBC presenters Jodie and Akylah participated in the race, and despite some worries over the difficulty and cold weather, made it to the finish line
• Nick Spit from the Netherlands ran through the mud dressed in his mum's gown, much to the delight of our editors
• Joel Hicks of Leicestershire participated in his 20th straight year of the event
• Four people had to abandon their efforts after getting stuck because water levels started rising.

Image source, Chris Radburn

Joe Griggs, 25, is the first man to cross the finish line this year.

He describes his coveted victory as "unreal".

"It's pretty crazy. It was a lot of pain!" he adds. "When you get into it, you go a lot deeper than you think, but it’s warmer than you think. It’s surprising how hard it is."

We're now getting more details about the winners of Maldon's famous mud race.

Vicki Riley, 39, was the first woman to complete the course this year.

She was all smiles (and mud-free!) as she accepted her prize.

Mayor of Halstead Andy Munday joined the race dressed as a cup of tea.

He was joined by Linda Smith, who is donning a digestive biscuit outfit.

They are among the many people who have now finished the race and are queuing up for the open shower.

Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

Four people have had to give up because the water is rising and they just can't move.

They look exhausted, as you might expect.

Event organisers have had to get ropes and small paddle boats to help get them out of the water, which is rising quite quickly.

Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

Most people have finished the race, but some are still stuck in the mud, and they will likely be there for quite some time.

There are people who are barely sliding, crawling, and some are even static. But the vast majority are starting to cross the line and they're getting hosed down.

Most of the mud racers who've finished are in good spirits, but some are absolutely shattered.

Finisher Joel Hicks, 46, from Leicestershire tells us it's a fantastic day at the race – this is the 20th year he has participated.

We looked back through our archives and found Joel smiling in last year's story on the event.

Hi again!

Well done both of you!

We're expecting a full report on the race soon.

Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

It's a completely bizarre scene here.

People are literally crawling over the finish line.

Some of them are getting stuck just before the line, but they're all being cheered on by thousands and thousands of people, so it's a great atmosphere here.

I'm just trying not to get muddy.

Matt Mackay
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

First-time participant Joe has just won Maldon Mud Race.

"I just tried to get in front of people and tried to stay in front of them," he says about his tactics.

The weather is colder than you think, he says, adding that people can be boisterous and push ahead during the race.

Nick Spit from the Netherlands, who as we reported earlier has turned up dressed in his mum's gown, has made it out in one piece.

The dress, on the other hand...

Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

Through all the screams you can hear four men - walking arm-in-arm - singing "oh, Beacon Hill Rovers!"

Safe to say they'll be having a few beers at the clubhouse tonight.

While we appear to have a winner, many people are still crawling, trudging and trying to run through the thick mud.

Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

Someone has just won, but so many people are still going.

People are belly-sliding down the river bank.

Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

I've hardly been able to stand up as I walk along the race and try to take photos of the participants.

Some are running, some are crawling, some are falling over.

One man with a Go Pro camera is naked - I'm hoping a bit more mud might cover him up.

Another person got close to the finish line quickly.

Oops - we've already seen people getting stuck in the mud.

Hopefully this team can work their way out soon!

And they’re off!

The Maldon Mud Race in Essex has officially begun.

Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

Olympic bronze medallist Lewis Richardson is the person starting the event.

"It’s quite a unique event you don’t see too many mud races," he says. "What’s tougher, getting punched in the face or running through the mud? I’ll have to see."

He says the best outfit he's spotted so far today is a "Where's Wally?" costume.

We're absolutely loving the pictures that we've received so far from Maldon.

Here are some of the best costumes we've spotted so far today as people line up to take part.

Image source, Lewis Adams/BBC

Image source, Chris Radburn

Image source, Chris Radburn